LCMS Paw Prints Newsletter

Dear LCMS Panther Families,

Thank you all for a successful first week of school. Please be sure to read this issue carefully as there is a LOT of date sensitive information.

It is time for me to work on the next Panther Pawscast. Please let me know what you want to learn more about: https://forms.gle/hXUX8SxdE47wakaX9 

Please note - all clubs are on hold for the next week or so while we develop the required Parental Authorization forms. Clubs should be able to start no later than Sept 5.

Dr. Melissa Laudani

Principal, Lawton Chiles MS 

Tryouts - UPDATED INFO as of 8/18 - 6:20 pm

Tryouts for the following sports will be held later this month: Boys and Girls JV and Varsity Volleyball, Cheer & Mascot, and Pantherettes Dance Team.  All students trying out for a sport must have the correct signed Parental Authorization Form with them at tryouts.  See below for dates and times. 

Please download the appropriate form for your sport if you plan for your child to tryout:

Boys Volleyball Parental Authorization Form

Girls Volleyball Parental Authorization Form

Dance Parental Authorization Form

Cheer/Mascot Parental Authorization Form

THESE FORMS ARE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO TRYOUT - THESE ARE UPDATED - THE FORMS FROM LAST WEEK'S NEWSLETTER CANNOT BE USED. 

For more information regarding LCMS Athletics, please visit our website: Athletics - Lawton Chiles Middle School (scps.k12.fl.us) 

PTSA Fundraiser

Please support our PTSA! Scan the code below or text to donate today. 

We are so excited to begin an amazing new school year and Making Connections in support of our students, faculty, families, and community.

We have many student-centered activities planned for this year including a Back to School Social, Farmer's Market, 6 v 6 Flag Football Tournament, Holiday Movie Night, Skate Night, Bowling and Basket Event, and Spring Fling!

PTSA also intends to continue its support of the outstanding LCMS faculty through Mini-Grants and appreciation activities.

We need your help to make all of these events successful! Please consider making a donation to the "No Fuss" Fundraiser today!

Picture Day is 8/25

Click the picture below or print and bring in this form:  Preorder Form

COVID

Believe it or not, this is the 4th year we are living with COVID. It has not gone away and safety protocols are still in place.  If your child tests positive, please email me at Melissa_Laudani@scps.us . Anyone who tests positive is still supposed to quarantine for 5 days (the day after the test is Day 1). I am also still required to submit paperwork for tests completed at a doctor's office or lab. Please be sure to notify me immediately. 

SATURN

ATTENTION PARENTS: We have become aware of an app that students are using that parents may want to be aware of. The Saturn app uses students’ phone numbers, Snapchat accounts or school emails to create accounts. Once they have an account, they can upload their class schedules and connect with other students in the school. Anyone who signs up for an account can see all the information for everyone else in that school. Please talk to your students about the importance of keeping personal information private 

***Repeated but Relevant***

Cell Phone Policy

INFORMATION UPDATE: A new law went into effect on July 1, 2023 and impacts how cell phones and other wireless communication devices are used on campuses. Florida Statute 1006.07(2)(f), says “a student may not use a wireless communications device during instructional time, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes. A teacher shall designate an area for wireless communications devices during instructional time.”

This means that cell phones must be silenced and placed as designated by the teacher while in class.

This new update can also be found in our student code of conduct on page 21.  We ask for your support in upholding not only the law, but in maintaining an environment conducive to academic learning.

Calendar

Below, please find the calendar for this school year. Please take note of the days for the beginning and end of each of the 4 quarters.  9 week exams will be held the last week of each quarter (October, December, March & May). Please plan vacations accordingly so that students are in attendance for exams. This calendar can be downloaded here: Block Calendar

Yearbooks Are Now on Sale! (updated code)

Scan code below or click the button at the top of this newsletter. 

PTSA

Join PTSA! PTSA Memberships for the 23-24 school year are now available at this link.

Please log in and purchase one for you and your Panther!  Student members receive incentives once a month during all lunches.

Don't forget that you must apply to be a Dividend every year. Please make sure that you log in and update your application for the upcoming school year - click here

For more information about PTSA, please visit their page on the LCMS Website: PTSA Page

All students attending PTA schools* sponsoring the program are invited to participate in the PTSA Reflections program. Students should submit their completed works of art in one, more or all of the available arts categories: 

• Dance Choreography

• Film Production

• Literature

• Music Composition

• Photography

• Visual Arts

This year's theme is below:

Who to Contact

Have a question or an issue, but you aren't sure who to contact? Use this flowchart below for assistance. All email addresses can be found on the Staff Directory on the LCMS Website:  Staff Directory  Lists of which administrators are over which subject areas can also be found on the LCMS Website: Administration

FEV Tutors

Our free, online Tutoring through FEV Tutors is available once again.  See the flyer below or look for FEV Tutor in Clever under "Class Tools". 

FYI - No Drop Offs or Early Check-out after 3:30 (2:30 on Wed)

Support our Business Partners!

If you are interested in advertising in the weekly newsletter, please email Melissa_Laudani@scps.us.

If you are interested in having an ad banner on our carline or Hwy 419 fence, please fill out this form: https://share.hsforms.com/1JG4T_qJIQq2TMHgRyay3dQ4amsl or call the number below. 

Pictures of these banners will also be included on the website and in this newsletter. 

Support our Banner Sponsors!

Support our Newsletter Advertisers!

Please support these Business Partners:

Support our In-Kind Donors!

Please support these Business Partners who have supported our school programs through an in-kind donation: